Much of my winter nights and weekends were spent signing with an agent, writing a proposal and sample chapters and filming a video to introduce the concept.

My spring was filled with meetings and conference calls from publishers around the country. It was surreal.

In July I signed a two-book deal with Revell, a fantastic publisher out of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

I can’t believe it.

I have always told people Matthew was the author of the family and I would never write a book.

But God has a funny way of surprising us, doesn’t He?

I’ve been so overwhelmed and humbled already by this process because I never thought I would be here. Yet, once God laid the vision for this book on my heart, I had such a burning inside of me to write it, I couldn’t stop.

The process has been incredibly fast, and I believe that is because this is something much bigger than myself.

So what is the book? The idea was birthed as response to the question I get asked the most often – how do you do it all?

Which is an illusion because I do not do it all. That said, in the book I will share my journey of seeking balance, time management tips and the importance of making time for what you love.

But that’s not all.

This book won’t just be my story. It will be your story.

In a few weeks I will be publishing a survey to learn about what your life is like and how you make (or don’t make!) time for yourself and the things that you love. I hope you will participate and spread the word to your friends.

Because you are going to make this book deep, relevant and meaningful. I am just the girl God has called to write the message.

Thank you for joining me in this journey. This book is only possible because of you, and I am so grateful for the opportunity. It is not one that I take lightly. I pray that my story and the stories of women like you will inspire us all.

Oh I’m so excited for you! I know we have not actually ever met, but I connect with your story in so many ways and am so glad that God gave you a vision to share it through this book. Praying blessings over the process, joy in the writing & peace in the result. Between your wonderful agent, Revell, and your family…it can only be a smashing success 🙂

Congrats! Can’t wait to read it! The main reason I’ve read your blog for years is because I feel that I can relate to you as a working mom. I read a handful of other blogs too, but it seems that all of those are by stay-at-home moms or work-at-home moms. I find a lot of encouragement and inspiration from your blog posts. It helps to know I’m not alone in trying to balance it all – work, home, kids, hubby, family, etc.

Congrats!! This is so perfect for you. I love your blog for this very reason … you seem to do a good job of balancing everything in your life and we have much of the same interests and I am a working mother with 3 littles. Can’t wait to read!!

Baby, I’m so proud of you. Experiencing this journey with you brings me so much joy. I can’t wait to see all that God has in store for this book, your story, and those who engage it with you. I love you.

Yay, you! And yay, us! 🙂 … Eager to see what God does with your words. Revell is a great publisher, and they snagged a winning book idea, by a wonderful woman; YOU! Praying for you as you put this book together.

~ Jennifer Dukes Lee (met you briefly when Deidra R. and I drove over to Des Moines to support and encourage Ann at Women of Faith…)

I remember so clearly the day Matthew introduced us. I immediately knew we would be friends. 🙂 And now, all these years later I get to work hard for you promoting your very first book!!!! So excited for this next stage. Cannot wait to see what lies ahead!

WOW, congratulations…this is exciting news!!! Just started following your blog early this year and I am thankful because you’ve giving me, AND so many of your followers some awesome tips already so with that said, I REALLY look forward to reading your book!!!